Ge Liutao had not spoken yet when Chiang Songhai, worried that his aging wife might truly blame Chiang Xiao, quickly spoke up, "This time, we’ve earned quite a bit of money, but it’s all thanks to Little’s efforts. It’s only right for her to spend it. Besides, Little isn’t spending recklessly; these are all necessary for her painting. It’s a good thing she enjoys painting, so the money is well-spent. We mustn’t blame her."
Even though he was dazed by the thought of all the money having been spent, his words were truly heartfelt.
He simply had not expected the painting supplies to be so expensive. He was shocked at first, but had no intention of blaming Chiang Xiao.
Ge Liutao finally snapped back to reality, reached out to touch the rice paper, and said in surprise, "Do these things cost a lot of money?"
Chiang Xiao nodded, "Yes, roughly the value of thirty catties of rice."
Rice wasn’t expensive in their area, with third-grade rice costing just over five jiao per catty. She had spent over ten yuan on these supplies, which was indeed the equivalent of thirty catties of rice.
For any other family, spending the equivalent of thirty catties of rice on things that couldn’t be eaten or worn would be heart-wrenching. Who could afford to indulge their child in such an endeavor?
Thinking of this, Chiang Xiao also suddenly remembered the look on Sun Jinhe’s face on the ox cart earlier.
He must have thought that the school required each student’s family to provide these materials. With Sun Xiaoxing and her sister both attending school, if they really needed to buy these supplies, wouldn’t the two girls end up spending thirty yuan?
At that moment, Sun Jinhe must have been trembling with fear.
Later, when he heard Chiang Xiao say she was the one who wanted to buy them, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Chiang Xiao wasn’t mistaken; Sun Jinhe did indeed return home at this moment and happened to meet his just-dismissed daughters, Sun Xiaoxing and Sun Xiaohua, at the gate.
"Xiao Xing, Chiang Xiao didn’t go to school today; did your teacher say anything?"
Sun Xiaoxing looked at her Second Brother, puzzled as to how he knew Chiang Xiao hadn’t attended school that day. In fact, it was common for the village children to take days off since mountain village folks often had a lot of work at home and in the fields, so attendance wasn’t taken too seriously.
Moreover, Chiang Xiao’s grades were always at the top of her class. Her taking a day off would never be a concern for the teacher.
"For that art class you’re taking, do you need to buy anything?" Sun Jinhe couldn’t help but ask.
Sun Xiaoxing was even more baffled, "No need. We bought a drawing book at the start of the term for three jiao, and a few pencils that can last half a term."
They only had one art class per week, where they’d draw one picture per class. Two drawing books were enough for a term.
Even Sun Jinhe knew about those thin drawing books. They cost three jiao each? Then, how much money must Chiang Xiao’s bag of supplies have cost today!
Chiang Songhai really spoils Chiang Xiao to no end. No wonder they live so frugally; it’s because Chiang Xiao squanders all the money. How could they not be poor?
"Xiao Xing, you mustn’t follow Chiang Xiao’s example. Girls should know how to be thrifty and manage a household properly, understand?"
Sun Jinhe patted Sun Xiaoxing’s shoulder, went inside, pulled his wife aside, and whispered to her, "Didn’t you tell me last time that you wanted to arrange a marriage for your brother?"
Sun Er’s Wife’s eyes lit up and she quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, how about it? Can it be done?"
Her brother was sixteen, and there really was no rush, but her family was poor and feared that the longer they waited, the harder it would become. Her parents had already started to worry and asked her to keep an eye out as well.
But when her brother came to Siyang Village during the New Year’s, he met the Chiang Family’s girl and took a fancy to her. A thirteen-year-old lass could indeed be charming.
Sun Er’s Wife was initially displeased, but when her brother promised that once engaged, he would diligently apprentice and stop idling around all day with chickens and dogs, she and her parents were delighted.